Romans 16:1, where Phoebe is called a “servant” or a “deaconess” or “deacon” (this type of Greek noun has the same form in both masculine and feminine genders, so it is simply a question of which English word is most appropriate) of the church at Cenchreae. Because Paul’s requirement for deacons was that they be “the husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:12), the translation “servant” seems preferable in Romans 16:1 (diakonos takes this sense in Rom. 13:4; 15:8; and 1 Cor. 3:5). In general, the verses on deacons show that they had recognized offices to “serve” the church in various ways. Acts 6:1–6 suggests that they had some administrative responsibilities but were nevertheless subject to the authority of those who had rule over the entire church.

 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 1131–1132.